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Abstract:

A method and apparatus for maintaining or establishing a readiness state
in a fuel cell backup system of a nuclear reactor system are disclosed. A
method includes maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. Another method
includes monitoring a nuclear reactor system characteristic and,
responsive to the monitored nuclear reactor system characteristic,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system. An apparatus
includes a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system and
a fuel cell control system configured to maintain a readiness state of
the fuel cell system. Another apparatus includes a fuel cell system
associated with a nuclear reactor system, a nuclear reactor
characteristic monitoring system, and a fuel cell control system
configured to establish a readiness state of the fuel cell system.

Claims:

1. A method, comprising: maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell
system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness
parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
variable function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters by transferring energy from
an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness
parameters a function of the characteristic of a nuclear reactor system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters by transferring energy from a
portion of the nuclear reactor system to a portion of the fuel cell
system, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters by transferring thermal
energy from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system.

6. (canceled)

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source
to a portion of the fuel cell system using a heat transfer system, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system comprises: maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell
system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source to a
conditioning system of the fuel cell system using a heat transfer system,
the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters by transferring electrical
energy from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters by adjusting a condition of a
reactant of the fuel cell system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters by reconfiguring a portion of
an electrical configuration of the fuel cell system, the readiness
parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of an operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of
a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set
of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of an
operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises:
maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a
nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of an operational characteristic of a
nuclear reactor core of the nuclear reactor system.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of a design characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of
a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set
of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a design
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of the responsiveness of a safety system of the nuclear reactor
system to a design basis accident.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of
a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set
of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a design
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the time required for a fuel element of the nuclear reactor system to
reach a specified temperature upon loss of coolant flow.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of a characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear
reactor system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of
a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set
of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system
comprises: maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated
with a nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of a signal transmitted from an operation
system of the nuclear reactor system.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining an
electrical output level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
electrical output range, the acceptable electrical output range a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the maintaining an electrical output
level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical output range,
the acceptable electrical output range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining an electrical current
output level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical
current output range, the acceptable electrical current output range a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the maintaining an electrical output
level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical output range,
the acceptable electrical output range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a voltage level of a
fuel cell system within an acceptable voltage range, the acceptable
voltage range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
temperature in a portion of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
pressure in a portion of a fuel cell system within an acceptable pressure
range, the acceptable pressure range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
humidity level in a portion of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
temperature of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a function
of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
pressure of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: maintaining a
humidity level of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transferring electrical
energy from a fuel cell system to an operation system of the nuclear
reactor system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the transferring electrical energy
from a fuel cell system to an operation system of the nuclear reactor
system comprises: responsive to at least one condition, transferring
electrical energy from a fuel cell system to an operation system of the
nuclear reactor system.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising: modifying an electrical
output of the fuel cell system.

32. (canceled)

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the modifying an electrical output of
the fuel cell system comprises: modifying the electrical output of the
fuel cell system by adjusting the electrical output of at least one fuel
cell of the fuel cell system using control circuitry.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the modifying the electrical output
of the fuel cell system by adjusting the electrical output of at least
one fuel cell of the fuel cell system using control circuitry comprises:
simulating an A.C. electrical output of the fuel cell system by
sequentially staging a D.C. output of at least two fuel cells of the fuel
cell system.

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

39. A method for establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system,
comprising: monitoring a characteristic of a nuclear reactor system; and
responsive to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with the
nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of the characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with the
nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a variable function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the monitoring a characteristic of a
nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring an operational
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the monitoring an operational
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring an
operational characteristic of a nuclear reactor core of a nuclear reactor
system.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the monitoring a characteristic of a
nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring a design characteristic of a
nuclear reactor system.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the monitoring a design
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring
responsiveness of a safety system of a nuclear reactor system to a design
basis accident.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the monitoring a design
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring time
required for a fuel element of a nuclear reactor system to reach a
specified temperature upon loss of coolant flow.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the monitoring a characteristic of a
nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring a characteristic of an
operation system of a nuclear reactor system.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the monitoring a characteristic of an
operation system of a nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring a
signal transmitted by an operation system of a nuclear reactor system.

48. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of
the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring energy from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell
system, the readiness parameters a function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of
the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring energy from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell
system, the readiness parameters a function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring thermal energy from an energy source to a portion of the
fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of the
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

51. (canceled)

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring thermal energy from an energy source to a portion of the
fuel cell system using a heat transfer system, the readiness parameters a
function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises:
responsive to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source
to a conditioning system of the fuel cell system using a heat transfer
system, the readiness parameters a function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring energy from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell
system, the readiness parameters a function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring electrical energy from an energy source to a portion of the
fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of the
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

54. (canceled)

55. (canceled)

56. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with the
nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters by adjusting
a condition of a reactant of the fuel cell system, the readiness
parameters a function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system.

57. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with the
nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters by
reconfiguring a portion of an electrical configuration of the fuel cell
system, the readiness parameters a function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system.

58. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing an electrical output level of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable electrical output range, the acceptable electrical output
range a function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing an electrical
output level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical output
range, the acceptable electrical output range a function of the
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive to the
monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing an
electrical current output level of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable electrical current output range, the acceptable electrical
current output range a function of the characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing an electrical
output level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical output
range, the acceptable electrical output range a function of the
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive to the
monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
voltage level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable voltage range,
the acceptable voltage range a function of the characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system.

61. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a temperature in a portion of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

62. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a pressure in a portion of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of
the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

63. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a humidity level in a portion of a fuel cell system within
an acceptable pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of
the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

64. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a temperature of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system
within an acceptable temperature range, the acceptable temperature range
a function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

65. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a pressure of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within
an acceptable pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of
the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

66. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system,
establishing a humidity level of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system
within an acceptable humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a
function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

67. The method of claim 39, further comprising: transferring electrical
energy from a fuel cell system to an operation system of the nuclear
reactor system.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the transferring electrical energy
from a fuel cell system to an operation system of the nuclear reactor
system comprises: responsive to at least one condition, transferring
electrical energy from the fuel cell system to an operation system of the
nuclear reactor system.

69. The method of claim 39, further comprising: modifying an electrical
output of the fuel cell system.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein modifying the electrical output of at
least one fuel cell system comprises: modifying an electrical output of
the fuel cell system using power management circuitry.

71. The method of claim 39, wherein modifying the electrical output of at
least one fuel cell system comprises: modifying an electrical output of
the fuel cell system by adjusting the electrical output of at least one
fuel cell of the fuel cell system using control circuitry.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the modifying an electrical output of
the fuel cell system by adjusting the electrical output of at least one
fuel cell of the fuel cell system using control circuitry comprises:
simulating an A.C. electrical output of the fuel cell system by
sequentially staging the D.C. output of at least two fuel cells of the
fuel cell system.

73. (canceled)

74. (canceled)

75. (canceled)

76. (canceled)

77. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to determination of a preselected value of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

78. The method of claim 39, wherein the responsive to the monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system comprises: responsive
to determination of a preselected rate of change of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.

79. The method of claim 39, wherein the monitoring a characteristic of a
nuclear reactor system comprises: monitoring a characteristic of a
nuclear reactor system using a nuclear reactor system monitoring system.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising: transmitting a signal
from the nuclear reactor monitoring system to a computer data management
system.

81. The method of claim 79, further comprising: transmitting a signal
from the nuclear reactor monitoring system to a fuel cell control system.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the implementation of a
fuel cell backup system in a nuclear reactor system and, more
particularly, to maintaining or establishing a state of operational
readiness in a fuel cell backup system of a nuclear reactor system.

SUMMARY

[0002] In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to maintaining
a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. In another
aspect, a method includes but is not limited to monitoring a
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system, and, responsive to the
monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of the characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. In addition
to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims,
drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

[0003] In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not
limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the
herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be
virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware
configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon
the design choices of the system designer.

[0004] In one aspect, an apparatus includes but is not limited to Error!
Reference source not found., and a Error! Reference source not found. In
another aspect, an apparatus includes but is not limited to a Error!
Reference source not found., a Error! Reference source not found., and a
Error! Reference source not found. In addition to the foregoing, other
system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a
part of the present disclosure.

[0005] In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system
and/or program product aspects are set forth and described in the
teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or
drawings of the present disclosure.

[0006] The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,
generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative
only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects,
features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other
subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set
forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007]FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a system for establishing
or maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell system;

[0008]FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a system for establishing
or maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell system;

[0009]FIG. 1c is a block diagram illustrating a system for establishing
or maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell system;

[0010]FIG. 1D is a block diagram illustrating types of energy transfer
systems suitable for transferring energy from an energy source to a fuel
cell system;

[0011] FIG. 1E is a block diagram illustrating a heat transfer system for
transferring thermal energy from a nuclear reactor system to a fuel cell
system;

[0012] FIG. 1F is a block diagram illustrating a heat transfer system for
transferring thermal energy from a nuclear reactor system to a fuel cell
system;

[0013]FIG. 1G is a block diagram illustrating a heat transfer system for
transferring thermal energy from a nuclear reactor system to a fuel cell
system;

[0014]FIG. 1H is a block diagram illustrating a heat transfer system for
transferring thermal energy from a nuclear reactor system to a fuel cell
system;

[0015] FIG. 1I is a block diagram illustrating a reactant control system
suitable for establishing or maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell
system;

[0016]FIG. 1J is a block diagram illustrating a configuration control
system suitable for establishing or maintaining a readiness state in a
fuel cell system;

[0017]FIG. 1K is a block diagram illustrating types of monitoring systems
suitable for monitoring a characteristic of a nuclear reactor system;

[0018]FIG. 1L is a block diagram illustrating types of fuel cells
suitable for implementation in the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 1M is a block diagram illustrating types of nuclear reactors
suitable for implementation in the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 1N is a block diagram illustrating an energy supply system
suitable for supplying energy to an operation system of a nuclear reactor
system;

[0021] FIG. 1O is a block diagram illustrating an output modification
system suitable for modifying the electrical output of the fuel cell
system;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for maintaining a
readiness state in a fuel cell system;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a high-level flowchart of a method for maintaining a
readiness state in a fuel cell backup system of a nuclear reactor system;

[0027] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar
symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates
otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed
description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other
embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without
departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

[0028] Referring generally to FIGS. 1A through 1O, a system 100 for
maintaining or establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell backup
system of a nuclear reactor system is described in accordance with the
present disclosure. One or more monitoring systems 102 may monitor one or
more characteristics, such as an operational characteristic or a design
characteristic, of a nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system may transmit a signal 107 indicative of the one or more monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control
system 108. In response to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring
system, a fuel cell control system 108 (e.g., a fuel cell control module
109, energy transfer system 112, reactant control system 114, or
configuration control system 116) may maintain or establish a readiness
state (e.g., electrical output state, temperature state, humidity state,
or pressure state) of a fuel cell system 110. An acceptable readiness
state may be defined by a set of readiness parameters which are a
function (e.g., a variable function) of one or more of the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 measured by the
monitoring system 102.

[0029] While the preceding description refers to a system 100 for
maintaining or establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell system 110,
hereinafter the system 100 will be described in terms of establishing a
readiness state in a fuel cell system 110. This should not, however, be
interpreted as a limitation as the remainder of the description should be
construed as describing the system 100 and its various embodiments for
establishing or maintaining a readiness sate in a fuel cell system 110.

[0030] In some embodiments, the readiness state established by the fuel
cell control system 108 may include, but is not limited to, a readiness
state of one or more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system. For
example, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a temperature, a
pressure state, a humidity level or an electrical output level within a
portion of one or more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system. For
instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system may transmit a
signal indicative of the monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system 104 to a fuel cell control system 108. In response to the
transmitted signal from the monitoring system 102, the fuel cell control
system 108 may establish a temperature level in one or more of the fuel
cells of the fuel cell system 110, wherein the established temperature
level is specified by the value of the measured characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the monitoring system 102 may
measure an elevated temperature in the nuclear reactor core of the
nuclear reactor system 104. In response to that elevated temperature
measurement, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a temperature
level in one or more fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110 in order to
increase the response time of the fuel cell system in the event of
nuclear reactor system malfunction. It is further recognized that the
choice of temperature level may be determined by a computer programmed
algorithm of the fuel cell control system 108 which relates a monitored
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system to an appropriate
temperature level in one or more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell
system.

[0031] By way of another example, a monitoring system 102 may monitor a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system may transmit a signal indicative of the monitored characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the transmitted signal from the monitoring system 102, the
fuel cell control system 108 may establish an electrical output level
(e.g., current output level or voltage output level) in one or more of
the fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110, wherein the established
electrical output level is specified by the value of the measured
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, the monitoring
system 102 may measure an elevated temperature in the nuclear reactor
core of the nuclear reactor system 104. In response to that elevated
temperature measurement, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish
an electrical output level in one or more fuel cells of the fuel cell
system 110 in order to increase the response time of the fuel cell system
110 in the event of nuclear reactor system malfunction. It is further
recognized that the choice of the electrical output level may be
determined by a computer programmed algorithm of the fuel cell control
system 108 which relates a monitored characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system to an appropriate electrical output level in one or more
of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system.

[0032] In other embodiments, the readiness state established by the fuel
cell control system 108 may include, but is not limited to, a readiness
state of one or more of the reactant gases of the fuel cell system 110.
For example, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
temperature, a pressure, a humidity level, or a flow rate in the fuel
stream or oxidant stream (e.g., air or reservoir supplied oxidant) of the
fuel cell system 110. For instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system may transmit a signal indicative of the monitored characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the transmitted signal from the monitoring system 102, the
fuel cell control system 108 may establish a temperature level in one or
both of the reactant gases of the fuel cell system 110, wherein the
established temperature level is specified by the value of the measured
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, the monitoring
system 102 may measure an elevated temperature in the nuclear reactor
core of the nuclear reactor system 104. In response to that elevated
temperature measurement, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
temperature level in one or both of the reactant gases of the fuel cell
system 110 in order to increase the response time of the fuel cell system
in the event of nuclear reactor system malfunction. It is further
recognized that the choice of temperature level may be determined by a
computer programmed algorithm of the fuel cell control system 108 which
relates a monitored characteristic of the nuclear reactor system to an
appropriate temperature level in one or both of the reactant gases of the
fuel cell system 110.

[0033] In another instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system may transmit a signal indicative of the monitored characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the transmitted signal from the monitoring system 102, the
fuel cell control system 108 may establish a flow rate in one or both of
the reactant gases of the fuel cell system 110, wherein the established
flow rate is specified by the value of the measured characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system. For example, the monitoring system 102 may
measure an elevated temperature in the nuclear reactor core of the
nuclear reactor system 104. In response to that elevated temperature
measurement, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a flow rate
in one or both of the reactant gases of the fuel cell system 110 in order
to increase the response time of the fuel cell system 110 in the event of
nuclear reactor system malfunction. It is further recognized that the
choice of the flow rate in either the oxidant gas or fuel gas may be
determined by a computer programmed algorithm of the fuel cell control
system 108 which relates a monitored characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system to an appropriate electrical output level in one or more
of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1B, the fuel cell control system 108 may
include a fuel cell control module 109 communicatively coupled to one or
more subsystems (e.g., energy transfer system 114, reactant control
system 116, or configuration control system 118) of the fuel cell control
system 108. For example, the fuel cell control system 108 may include a
fuel cell control module 109 (e.g., computer controlled data management
system) communicatively coupled to an energy transfer system 112 of the
fuel cell control system 108 by the transmission of a digital or analog
signal 113. For instance, the fuel cell control module 109 may be
communicatively coupled to an energy transfer control module 145 of
energy transfer system 112. In another example, the fuel cell control
system 108 may include a fuel cell control module 109 communicatively
coupled to a reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell control system
108 by the transmission of a digital or analog signal 115. For instance,
the fuel cell control module 109 may be communicatively coupled to a
reactant control module 155 of the reactant control system 114. By way of
an additional example, the fuel cell control system 108 may include a
fuel cell control module 109 communicatively coupled to a configuration
control system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108 by the
transmission of a digital or analog signal 117. For instance, the fuel
cell control system 108 may include a fuel cell control module 109
communicatively coupled to a configuration control module 167 of the
configuration control system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108 by
the transmission of a digital or analog signal 117

[0035] Further, the fuel cell control module 109 may include a fuel cell
control module configured to receive an instruction signal 107 from the
monitoring system 102. For instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor
one or more characteristics of a nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the
monitoring system 102 may transmit an instruction signal 107 indicative
of the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor
system 104 to a fuel cell control module 109 of the fuel cell control
system 108. In response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring
system, the fuel cell control module 109 may transmit an instruction
signal 113 to an energy transfer system 112 (e.g., energy transfer system
control module 145) of the fuel cell control system 108 in order to
establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110. In another
instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics
of a nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may
transmit a signal 107 indicative of the one or more monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control
module 109 of a fuel cell control system 108. In response to the
transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system, the fuel cell control
module 109 may transmit an instruction signal 115 to a reactant control
system 114 of the fuel cell control system 108 in order to establish a
readiness state in the fuel cell system 110. Further, a monitoring system
102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a nuclear reactor system
104. Then, the monitoring system may transmit a signal 107 indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 to a fuel cell control module 109 of a fuel cell control system 108.
In response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system, the
fuel cell control module 109 may transmit an instruction signal 117 to a
configuration control system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108 in
order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fuel
cell control module 109 may include signal processing and computer data
management hardware and/or software configured to receive a signal
transmitted from monitoring system 102 and, based upon that signal,
determine appropriate instructions (e.g., via a preprogrammed computer
algorithm) for the various subsystems. Then, the fuel cell control module
109 may transmit those appropriate instructions to the required fuel cell
control subsystems, such as the energy transfer system 112 (e.g., energy
transfer control module 145), the reactant control system 114 (e.g., the
reactant control module 155), or the configuration control system 116
(e.g., the configuration control module 167).

[0037] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
communicative coupling between the fuel cell control module 109 and the
fuel cell control subsystems 112-116 and the communicative coupling the
between fuel cell control module 109 and the monitoring system 102 may be
achieved in various manners. For example, the described components may be
communicatively coupled via a digital or analog signal transmitted along
a transmission line (e.g., copper wire, coaxial cable, or fiber optic
cable) or via a digital or analog wireless signal (e.g., radio frequency
signal). It should also be appreciated that the communicative coupling
may be achieved via a network connection, wherein the fuel cell control
module 109, the monitoring system 102, and the various subsystem control
modules (i.e., energy transfer control module 145, reactant control
module 155 and configuration control module 167) of the fuel cell control
system 108 are connected to a common digital network.

[0038] It should be recognized that communicative coupling described in
the preceding description does not represent a limitation, but rather an
illustration as one skilled in the art will appreciate that the
communicative coupling between the monitoring system 102 and the fuel
cell control module 109 and the communicative coupling between the fuel
cell control module 109 and the various subsystems of the fuel cell
control system 108 may be achieved through a variety of configurations.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1c, the monitoring system 102 may be directly
communicatively coupled to a subsystem (e.g. energy transfer system 112,
reactant control system 114 or configuration control system 116) of the
fuel cell control system 108. For example, a monitoring system 102 may
monitor one or more characteristics of a nuclear reactor system 104.
Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal 107 indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 directly to an energy transfer system 112 (e.g., energy transfer
control module 145) of the fuel cell control system 108. In response to
the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system, the energy
transfer system may transfer energy from an energy source to a portion of
the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the
fuel cell system 110. In another example, a monitoring system 102 may
monitor one or more characteristics of a nuclear reactor system 104.
Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal 107 indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 to a reactant control system 114 (e.g., reactant control module 155)
of the fuel cell control system 108. In response to the transmitted
signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, the reactant control system
114 may adjust conditions of the reactants of the fuel cell system 110 in
order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110. By way
of an additional example, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more
characteristics of a nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system 102 may transmit a signal 107 indicative of the one or more
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a
configuration control system 116 (e.g., configuration control module 167)
of the fuel cell control system 108. In response to the transmitted
signal 107 from the monitoring system, the configuration control system
116 may adjust the configuration of the fuel cells of the fuel cell
system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell
system 110.

[0040] It should also be appreciated that the communicative coupling may
be achieved via a network connection, wherein the monitoring system 102,
and the various subsystem control modules (i.e., energy transfer control
module 145, reactant control module 155 and configuration control module
167) of the fuel cell control system 108 are connected to a common
network. It should be recognized that communicative coupling described in
the preceding description does not represent a limitation, but rather an
illustration as one skilled in the art will appreciate that the
communicative coupling between the monitoring system 102 and the various
subsystems of the fuel cell control system 108 may be achieved through a
variety of configurations.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 1A through 1H, the fuel cell control system
108 may include an energy transfer system 112 configured to transfer
energy from one or more energy sources 103 to a portion of the fuel cell
system 110. For example, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of the one or more monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell
control system 108. In response to the signal 107 transmitted from the
monitoring system 102, the fuel cell control system 108 using an energy
transfer system 112 configured to transfer energy from an energy source
103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 may establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110 by transferring energy (e.g., thermal
energy or electrical energy) from an energy source 103 (e.g., portion of
the nuclear reactor system 104 or an additional energy source 106) to a
portion (e.g., a conditioning system 140 or portion of the fuel cell
system block 130) of the fuel cell system 110.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1D, the energy source 103 may include, but is
not limited to, a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 associated
with the fuel cell system 110. For example, in response to the signal 107
transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the energy transfer system 112
of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer energy from a portion of
the nuclear reactor system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110
in order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the portion of the nuclear reactor system
104 may include, but is not limited to, a portion of a coolant system 118
of the nuclear reactor system 104. For example, in response to the
transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, energy transfer
system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer energy from a
portion of the coolant system 118 of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a
portion of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0044] In some embodiments, the coolant system may include a primary
coolant system 120 of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, in
response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102,
the energy transfer system 112 may transfer thermal energy from a portion
of the primary coolant system 120 (e.g., primary coolant loop), of the
nuclear reactor system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 in
order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0045] In another embodiment, the coolant system 118 may include a
secondary coolant system 122 of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
instance, in response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring
system 102, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may transfer thermal energy from a portion of the secondary
coolant system 122 (e.g., secondary coolant loop) of the nuclear reactor
system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish
a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0046] In another embodiment, the coolant system 118 may include a waste
heat rejection loop 124 of the nuclear reactor system. For instance, a
monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102,
the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer thermal energy from a portion of the waste heat rejection loop
124 (e.g., waste heat rejection loop transferring heat to cooling towers
of the nuclear reactor system 104) of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a
portion of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the portion of the nuclear reactor may
include, but is not limited to, an electrical output of a thermohydraulic
system 126 of the nuclear reactor system 104. For example, in response to
the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, the energy
transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer
electrical energy from an electrical output of a thermohydraulic system
126 (e.g., electrical output of a generator coupled to a turbine of the
nuclear reactor system) of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a portion of
the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the
fuel cell system 110. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that electricity supplied from an external electrical power `grid` to a
portion of the fuel cell system 110 in fact represents electricity
supplied, in part, by a turbine-generator system of the nuclear reactor
system 104 in situations where the nuclear reactor system 104 supplies
electricity to the external power grid. Therefore, supplemental
electrical power (e.g., power used to maintain or establish temperature
in the fuel cell system 110) that is transferred from the external
electrical grid to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 (e.g.,
temperature control system) is in fact, at least in part, supplied by the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0048] In another embodiment, the energy source 103 may include, but is
not limited to, an additional energy source 128. For example, in response
to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, the energy
transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer
energy from a portion of an additional non-nuclear energy source 128 to a
portion of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110.

[0049] In a further embodiment, the additional energy source 128 may
include, but is not limited to, a non-nuclear thermohydraulic electrical
generator system. For example, in response to the transmitted signal 107
from the monitoring system 102, the energy transfer system 112 of the
fuel cell control system 108 may transfer electrical energy from an
electrical output of a non-nuclear powered electrical generator (e.g.,
diesel powered generator or coal powered generator) to a portion of the
fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the fuel
cell system 110.

[0050] In another embodiment, the additional energy source 128 may
include, but is not limited to, an energy storage system. For example, a
monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal 107 indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of
the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102,
the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy from an energy storage system (e.g., electrical battery,
electrical capacitor, or thermal storage system) to a portion of the fuel
cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell
system 110.

[0051] Referring again to FIG. 1D, the portion of the fuel cell system 110
may include the fuel cell block 130 of the fuel cell system. For example,
a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal 107 indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of
the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102,
the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy from an energy source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell
block 130 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110. For instance, energy may be
transferred from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel
cell block 130 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a
desired operating temperature of the fuel cell system 110.

[0052] In a further embodiment, the portion of the fuel cell block 130 may
include one or more fuel cell stacks 132 of the fuel cell system 110. For
example, in response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring
system 102, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may transfer energy from an energy source to one or more fuel
cell stacks 130 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a
readiness state in the fuel cell system 110. For instance, energy may be
transferred from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 to
individual fuel cell stacks 130 of the fuel cell system 108 in order to
establish a desired operating temperature of the fuel cell system.

[0053] In further embodiment, the portion of the fuel cell block 130 may
include one or more individual fuel cells of one or more fuel cell stacks
of the fuel cell block. For example, in response to the transmitted
signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, the energy transfer system 112
of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer energy from an energy
source 103 to an individual fuel cell 134 of a fuel cell stack 132 of the
fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the fuel
cell system 110. For instance, energy may be transferred from a portion
of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the individual fuel cells 134 of the
fuel cell stacks 130 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a
desired operating temperature of the fuel cell system. It will be
recognized by those skilled in the art that heating individual fuel cell
stacks and individual fuel cells allows for more precise control of local
thermal conditions within the fuel cell system 110 than a global heating
system.

[0054] In a further embodiment, the portion of a fuel cell 134 may
include, but is not limited to, the bipolar plates 136 of a fuel cell 134
of a fuel cell system 110. For example, in response to the transmitted
signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, the energy transfer system 112
of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer thermal energy from an
energy source 103 to the bipolar plates of one or more fuel cells 134 of
the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the
fuel cell system 110. For instance, thermal energy may be transferred
from a portion of the heat rejection loop 124 of the nuclear reactor
system 104 to the bipolar plates 136 of one or more fuel cells 134 of the
fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a desired operating
temperature of the fuel cell system. In another instance, thermal energy
may be transferred from a portion of primary coolant system 120 of the
nuclear reactor system 104 to the bipolar plates 136 of one or more fuel
cells 134 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a desired
operating temperature of the fuel cell system.

[0055] Further, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may transfer thermal energy from an energy source 103 to the
flow channels 138 of the bipolar plates 136 of one of more fuel cells 134
of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in
the fuel cell system 110. For instance, thermal energy may be transferred
from a portion of the heat rejection loop 124 of the nuclear reactor
system 104 to the flow channels 138 of the bipolar plates 136 of one or
more fuel cells 134 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a
desired operating temperature of the fuel cell system 110.

[0056] It will be appreciate by those skilled in the art that energy may
be transferred from an energy source 130 to the fuel cell system 110 in
various ways. For instance, electrical energy from an electrical output
of the reactor-generator system may be transferred to an electrical
heater in thermal communication with a portion of the fuel cell system
110 in order to establish a desired fuel cell operating temperature. In
another instance, a heat transfer system may transfer thermal energy
directly from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a portion of
the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a desired fuel cell
operating temperature. The preceding description is not to be construed
as a limitation but rather merely an illustration as it is recognized
that the preferred mechanism for energy transfer is dependent upon the
specific context the present invention is implemented.

[0057] In another embodiment, the portion of the fuel cell system 110 may
include a conditioning system 140 of the fuel cell system 110. For
example, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics
of a nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may
transmit a signal 107 indicative of the one or more monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell
control system 108. In response to the transmitted signal 107 from the
monitoring system 102, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may transfer energy from an energy source 103 to one
or more conditioning systems 140 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to
establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110. For instance,
the conditioning system 140 may use the thermal or electrical energy
transferred from the energy source 103 to adjust the conditions of the
fuel cell system 110 so as to establish a readiness state within the
readiness parameters defined by the measured conditions of the nuclear
reactor system 104.

[0058] In a further embodiment, the condition system 140 may include a
humidity control system 142 of the fuel cell system 110. For example, in
response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102,
the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104
to a humidity control system 142 of the fuel cell system 110 in order to
establish a desired humidity level in the reactant gas streams or the
fuel cell membrane of the fuel cell system 110. For instance, the
humidity control system 142 (e.g., humidifier) may use the thermal energy
transferred from the energy source 103 to adjust the humidity level in
the reactant gas (e.g., fuel or oxidant) in order to establish a
readiness state within the readiness parameters defined by the measured
conditions of the nuclear reactor system 104. In another instance, the
humidity control system 142 may use the thermal energy transferred from
the energy source 103 to adjust the humidity level in the fuel cell
membrane of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a readiness
state within the readiness parameters defined by the measured conditions
of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0059] In another embodiment, the conditioning system 140 may include a
temperature control system 142 of the fuel cell system 110. For example,
in response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102,
the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104
to a temperature control system 144 of the fuel cell system 110 in order
to establish a desired operating temperature of the fuel cell system 110.
For instance, the temperature control system 144 (e.g., temperature
control feedback system) may use the energy transferred from the energy
source 103 to adjust the temperature of a portion (e.g., reactant gas,
bipolar plates, or fuel cell membrane) of the fuel cell system 110 in
order to establish a readiness state within the readiness parameters
defined by the measured conditions of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0060] Referring again to FIG. 1D, the energy transfer system 112 of the
fuel cell control system 108 may include a heat transfer system 146
configured to transfer thermal energy from one or more energy sources 103
to a portion of the fuel cell system 110. For example, a monitoring
system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor
system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal 107
indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear
reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to
the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102, the heat
transfer system 146 configured to transfer thermal energy from one or
more energy sources 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 may
establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110 by transferring
thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 (e.g.,
heat rejection loop, portion of the primary coolant system or portion, of
secondary coolant system) to a portion of the fuel cell system 110, such
as the bipolar plates 138 of one or more of fuel cells 134, the flow
channels 136 of one or more fuel cells 134, or one or more conditioning
systems 140 (e.g., humidity control system 142 or temperature control
system 144).

[0061] Further, the heat transfer system 146 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may be configured to transfer thermal energy from an energy
source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 via thermal
convection (e.g., natural convection or forced convection via fluid
pumps(s)). Additionally, the heat transfer system 146 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may be configured to transfer thermal energy from an
energy source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 via thermal
conduction. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
heat transfer system 146 may be configured to transfer thermal energy
from a portion of an energy source 103 to the fuel cell system 110 using
both thermal conduction and thermal convection.

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 1D through 1H, the heat transfer system 146
may include a heat supply loop 152. For example, in response to a signal
107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the heat transfer system
146 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state
in the fuel cell system 110 by transferring thermal energy from an energy
source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 using one or more
heat supply loops 152. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1E, in
response to a signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the
heat transfer system 146 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110 by transferring
thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 (e.g.,
waste heat rejection loop 124, primary coolant system 120 or secondary
coolant system 122) to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 (e.g.,
conditioning system 140 or bipolar plates 136 of a fuel cell) using one
or more heat supply loops 152.

[0063] In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1E, the heat supply
loop 152 may comprise a heat supply loop having a first portion in
thermal communication with a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104
(e.g., primary coolant loop, secondary coolant loop, or a heat rejection
loop) and a second portion in thermal communication with a portion of the
fuel cell system 110 (e.g., condition system 140 or portion of fuel cell
block 130). For instance, in response to a signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, the heat transfer system 146 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state in the fuel cell
system 110 by transferring thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear
reactor system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 using one or
more heat supply loops 152 having a first portion in thermal
communication with a heat rejection loop 124 of the nuclear reactor
system 104 and a second portion in thermal communication with the bipolar
plates 136 of one or more fuel cells 134 of the fuel cell system 110. In
another instance, in response to a signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, the heat transfer system 146 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state in the fuel cell
system 110 by transferring thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear
reactor system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 using one or
more heat supply loops 152 having a first portion in thermal
communication with a heat rejection loop 124 of the nuclear reactor
system 104 and a second portion in thermal communication with a
conditioning system 140 of the fuel cell system 110.

[0064] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1F, the heat transfer
system 146 may include one or more heat exchangers 154. For example, in
response to the signal 107 transmitted by monitoring system 102, the heat
transfer system 146 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
readiness state in the fuel cell system 112 by transferring thermal
energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a portion of
the fuel cell system 110 using one or more heat exchangers 154. For
instance, the heat exchanger 154 may comprise a heat exchanger having a
first portion in thermal communication with a portion of the nuclear
reactor system 104 (e.g., primary coolant loop) and a second portion in
thermal communication with a portion of the fuel cell system 110 (e.g.,
flow channels 138 of one or more fuel cells 134).

[0065] In a further embodiment, the heat transfer system 146 of the fuel
cell control system 108 may include a combination of one or more heat
exchange loops 152 and one or more heat exchangers 154. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 1F, a first portion of a first heat exchanger 154 may
be in thermal communication with a portion of the nuclear reactor system
104, while a second portion of the first heat exchanger 154 may be in
thermal communication with the heat supply loop 152. Further, a first
portion of a second heat exchanger 154 may be in thermal communication
with a portion of the fuel cell system 110, while a second portion of the
second heat exchanger 154 may be in thermal communication with the heat
supply loop 152. Collectively, the first heat exchanger-heat supply
loop-second heat exchanger system acts to transfer thermal energy from a
portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell
system 110 in order to establish a readiness state in the fuel cell
system 110 in response to a signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring
system 102 to the fuel cell control system 108.

[0066] By way of another example, illustrated in FIG. 1G, a first portion
of a heat exchanger 154 may be in thermal communication with a portion of
the nuclear reactor system 104, while a second portion of the heat
exchanger 154 may be in thermal communication with a first portion of the
heat supply loop 152. In addition, a second portion of the heat supply
loop 152 may be in direct thermal communication with a portion of the
fuel cell system 110 with no interposed heat exchanger. For instance, the
second portion of the heat supply loop 152 may be coupled to a portion of
the fuel cell system 110 so that the heat supply loop fluid may be in
direct thermal communication (i.e., heat supply fluid is allowed to flow
through a portion of the fuel cell system) with a portion of the fuel
cell system 110, thus transferring thermal energy directly from the fluid
circulated in the heat supply loop to the fuel cell system 110.

[0067] In an additional example, illustrated in FIG. 1H, a first portion
of the heat supply loop 152 may be in direct thermal communication with a
portion of the nuclear reactor system 104. Further, a first portion of a
heat exchanger 154 may be in thermal communication with a second portion
of the heat supply loop 152, while a second portion of the heat exchanger
154 is in thermal communication with a portion of the fuel cell system
110. For instance, the first portion of heat supply loop 152 may be
coupled to a heat rejection loop 124 of the nuclear reactor system 104 so
that a portion of the fluid (e.g., water) transferred in the heat
rejection loop 124 is allowed to flow through the heat supply loop 152.
Thermal energy may then be transferred from the heat rejection loop fluid
diverted through the heat supply loop 153 to a portion of the fuel cell
system 110 via the heat exchanger 154 connected between the second
portion of the heat supply loop 152 and the portion of the fuel cell
system 110.

[0068] In another embodiment, the heat transfer system 146 may include a
direct fluid exchange system. For example, the heat transfer system 146
may include a heat supply loop 152 configured to transfer fluid from a
portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 (e.g., heat rejection loop 124)
to a portion of the fuel cell system 110. For instance, a first portion
of a heat supply loop 152 may be operably coupled to a heat rejection
loop 124 of the nuclear reactor system 104 so that a portion of the heat
rejection fluid (e.g., water) is allowed to flow through the heat supply
loop 152. Additionally, a second portion of the heat supply loop 152 may
be coupled to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 so that the heat
rejection fluid may be circulated through a portion of the fuel cell
system 110 via the heat supply loop 152. As a result, thermal energy from
the fluid circulated in the heat rejection loop 124 may be transferred
from the heat rejection fluid to a portion of the fuel cell system 110.

[0069] It is further contemplated that in order to achieve effective
thermal energy transfer via the heat supply loop 152 one or more fluid
pumps and one or more valve systems may be utilized in order to circulate
the heat rejection fluid through the nuclear reactor system-heat supply
loop-fuel cell system circuit. For instance, a fluid carrying heat supply
loop 152 may couple a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 and a
portion of the fuel cell system 110, allowing the heat rejection liquid
to flow through a portion of the fuel cell system 110. The rate of fluid
flow may be controlled by the heat transfer system 146 of the fuel cell
control system 108. For instance, a valve system and/or fluid pumps
(e.g., mechanical pumps) may be controlled to volumetrically limit the
flow through the heat supply circuit It is further contemplated that the
fuel cell control module 109 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transmit an instruction signal to the heat transfer system 146 (e.g. via
the energy transfer module 145).

[0070] In addition, it is further recognized that polymer electrolyte
membrane (PEM) fuel cells are particularly useful in implementing the
present invention as PEM fuel cells have been shown to have an optimal
operating temperature (approximately 60 to 160° C.) near the waste
heat temperatures of a variety of nuclear reactor systems (e.g., PWR
system or BWR system). It is further contemplated that solid oxide fuel
cells, which have an optimal operating temperature (approximately 600 to
1000° C.) much higher than PEM fuel cells, may be implemented in
the context of a high temperature gas reactor, wherein the heat rejection
occurs at a higher temperature than in PWR and BWR reactor systems.

[0071] Referring again to FIG. 1D, the energy transfer system 112
configured to transfer energy from one or more energy sources 103 to a
portion of the fuel cell system 110 may include an electrical transfer
system 148 configured to transfer electrical energy form one or more
energy sources 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110. For example,
a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal 107 indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of
the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102 the
electrical transfer system 148 configured to transfer electrical energy
from one or more energy sources 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system
110 may establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110 by
transferring electrical energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor
system 104 (e.g., electrical output of reactor thermohydraulic system) to
a portion of the fuel cell system 110, such as a conditioning system 140
(e.g., temperature control system 144 or humidity control system 142) of
the fuel cell system 110.

[0072] In a further embodiment, the electrical transfer system 148
configured to transfer electrical energy form one or more energy sources
103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 may include an electrical
energy-to-thermal energy conversion system 150. For example, the
electrical energy-to-thermal energy conversion system 150 may include,
but not limited to, a resistive heating coil or a thermoelectric device
configured to convert a portion of the electrical energy produced by the
reactor thermohydraulic system to thermal energy. For instance, in
response to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the
electrical-to-thermal conversion system 150 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110 by
converting electrical energy from the electrical output of a
thermohydraulic system to thermal energy using a resistive heating coil
and transferring that thermal energy to a portion of the fuel cell system
110.

[0073] It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that electrical
energy may be used to supplement the heating of a given fuel cell system
in instances where the employed fuel cells of the fuel cell system have
an optimal operating temperature above the waste heat temperature of the
associated nuclear reactor system 104. For example, in a molten carbonate
fuel cell (MCFC) system associated with a light water reactor having a
heat rejection temperature of 80° C., additional energy must be
supplied to the MCFC system in order to reach the system's optimal
operating temperature (approximately 600 to 700° C.). It is
contemplated that electrical energy may be transferred from an electrical
output of a thermohydraulic system of the associated nuclear reactor
system 104 to a portion of the MCFC system in order to provide
supplemental energy to the MCFC system so that the MCFC system's optimal
operating temperature may be achieved and maintained. It should be
recognized that the preceding description is not a limitation but merely
an illustration as a variety of fuel cell types and nuclear reactor types
may be implemented in the context of the present of invention.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 1I, the fuel cell control system 108 may
include a reactant control system 114 configured to adjust one or more
conditions of one or more of the reactant gases of the fuel cell system
110. For example, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of the one or more monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell
control system 108. In response to the signal 107 transmitted from the
monitoring system 102, the fuel cell control system 108 using a reactant
control system 114 configured to adjust a condition (e.g., mass flow rate
or pressure) of one or more of the reactant gases (e.g., fuel or oxidant)
of the fuel cell system 110 may establish a readiness state in the fuel
cell system 110.

[0075] In a further embodiment, the reactant control system 114 may
include, but is not limited to, a reactant pump control system 156 or a
reactant valve control system 158. For example, a monitoring system 102
may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to the signal 107
transmitted from the monitoring system 102, a reactant pump control
system 156 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system by adjusting a condition (e.g., mass flow
rate or pressure) of one or more of the reactant gases (e.g., fuel or
oxidant) of the fuel cell system 110. For instance, in response to a
signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102, a reactant pump
control system 156 of the reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) the pumping
rate of the reactant pumps of the fuel cell system 110. In another
instance, in response to a signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring
system 102, a reactant pump control system 156 of the reactant control
system 114 of the fuel cell control system 108 may activate or deactivate
one or more of the reactant pumps of the fuel cell system 110.

[0076] By way of another example, in response to the signal 107
transmitted by the monitoring system 102, a reactant valve control system
158 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state
in the fuel cell system 110 by adjusting a condition (e.g., mass flow
rate or pressure) of one or more of the reactant gases (e.g., fuel or
oxidant) of the fuel cell system 110. For instance, in response to a
signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, a reactant valve
control system 158 of the reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may adjust the flow rate of one or more of the
reactant gases by controlling one or more reactant valves of the fuel
cell control system 110.

[0077] It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that reactant
pump control system 156 and the reactant valve control system 158 may be
used independently or in conjunction with one another to adjust the flow
rate or pressure of the fuel gas or oxidant gas of the fuel cell system
110. In addition, it should be recognized that by adjusting the pressure
or flow rate of the reactant gases a fuel cell control system 108 may
establish a readiness state within the readiness parameters. For example,
the voltage and current output levels of a given fuel cell system 110 may
be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the reactant pressure in one or
more fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110. By way of another example,
the temperature of one or more fuel cells may be adjusted by changing the
flow rate of the reactant gases. For instance, given a reactant gas held
at ambient temperatures, the fuel cell control system 108 may decrease
the temperature of a fuel cell membrane of one or more fuel cells at
elevated temperatures by increasing the flow rate of the reactant gases
being fed into the fuel cell. By way of an additional example, the
humidity level of one or more fuel cells may be adjusted by changing the
flow rate of the reactant gases. For instance, given a reactant having a
first humidity level, the fuel cell control system 108 may decrease or
increase the humidity level in a fuel cell membrane by increasing or
decreasing the flow rate of the reactant gas being fed into the fuel
cell. The preceding description should not be interpreted as a limitation
but rather an illustration as it is contemplated that a number of other
implementations of the present invention may be applicable in related
contexts.

[0078] In another embodiment, the reactant control system 114 of the fuel
cell control system 108 may be used to pre-load a reactant into one or
more fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110. For example, a monitoring
system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor
system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal
indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear
reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to
the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102, a reactant
control system 114 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
readiness state in the fuel cell system by pre-loading a reactant into
the fuel cell system 110. For instance, a monitoring system 102 may
monitor a heightened temperature level in the core of the nuclear reactor
system 104. In response, to that temperature level measurement, the
reactant control system 114 may pre-load fuel into the fuel cells of the
fuel cell system 110. By pre-loading fuel into the fuel cell system 110
the response time required for the fuel cell system 110 to respond to a
nuclear reactor malfunction may be shortened.

[0079] In another embodiment, the reactant control system 114 of the fuel
cell control system 108 may be used to unload a reactant from one or more
fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110. For example, a monitoring system
102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to the signal 107
transmitted from the monitoring system 102, a reactant control system 114
of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state in
the fuel cell system by unloading a reactant from the fuel cell system
110. For instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor a lowered
temperature level in the core of the nuclear reactor system 104. The
response time required for a given fuel cell system at lower nuclear
reactor core temperatures is smaller than the response time required for
the fuel cell system at higher temperature. In response to a lowered
nuclear reactor core temperature level measurement, the reactant control
system 114 may unload fuel from the fuel cells of the fuel cell system
110.

[0080] In another embodiment, the reactant control system 114 of the fuel
cell control system 108 may include a reactant supply control system 160
configured to adjust one or more supply conditions of one or more of the
reactant gases of the fuel cell system 110. For example, a reactant
supply control system 160 may include a reactant supply control system
configured to control the number of reactant supply tanks supplying
reactant gas to the fuel cell system. For example, a monitoring system
102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to the signal 107
transmitted from the monitoring system 102, the reactant supply control
system 160 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110 by increasing or decreasing the number
of reactant reservoir tanks supplying reactant gas to the fuel cells of
the fuel cell system.

[0081] It is further contemplated that the reactant control system 114 may
include a reactant control module 155 suitable for controlling the
subsystems of the reactant control system (e.g., reactant pump control
system 156, reactant valve control system 158 or reactant supply control
system 160) in response to a signal transmitted from a fuel cell control
module 109 or the monitoring system 102. The reactant control module 155
may include a computer data processing system equipped with signal
processing and transmission hardware and software configured to receive a
signal transmitted by the fuel cell control module 109 or the monitoring
system 102.

[0082] It is also contemplated that the reactant supply control system 160
may include pump 164 and valve 166 control subsystems that are controlled
by a reactant supply control module 162 configured to respond to a signal
transmitted from the reactant control module 155, the fuel cell control
module 109, or the monitoring system 102. The reactant supply control
module 162 may include a computer data processing system equipped with
signal processing and transmission hardware and software configured to
receive a signal transmitted by the reactant control module 155, the fuel
cell control module 109 or the monitoring system 102.

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 1J, the fuel cell control system 108 may
include a configuration control system 116 configured to adjust (i.e.,
reconfigure) an electrical coupling configuration of two or more of the
fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110. For example, a monitoring system
102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of
the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system
104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to the signal 107
transmitted from the monitoring system 102, the configuration control
system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness
state in the fuel cell system 110 by adjusting the electrical coupling
configuration (e.g., adjusting the electrical circuit arrangement) of two
or more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110. For example, the
configuration control system may be used to switch the electrical
configuration of the fuel cell system 110 from a first configuration to a
second configuration in order to adjust the electrical output
characteristics (e.g., output current level or voltage level) of the fuel
cell control system 110.

[0084] In a further embodiment, the configuration control system 116 may
include configuration control circuitry 168. For example, the
configuration control circuitry may include, but is not limited to,
switching circuitry 170. For example, a monitoring system 102 may monitor
one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the
monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal indicative of the one or more
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel
cell control system 108. In response to the signal 107 transmitted from
the monitoring system 102, the configuration control system 116 of the
fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state in the fuel
cell system 110 by adjusting the electrical coupling configuration of two
or more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110 using switching
circuitry 170.

[0085] Further, the switching circuitry 170 may include, but is not
limited to, one or more transistors 171 (e.g., NPN transistor or PNP
transistor) or one or more relay systems. For example, the relay system
172 may include, but is not limited to, an electromagnetic relay system
173 (e.g., a solenoid based relay system), a solid state relay system
174, a transistor switched electromagnetic relay system 175, or a
microprocessor controlled relay system 176. For instance, a monitoring
system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor
system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit a signal
indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the nuclear
reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In response to
the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102, the
configuration control system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110 by adjusting the
electrical coupling configuration of two or more of the fuel cells of the
fuel cell system 110 using a transistor switched relay system 175.

[0086] It is further contemplated that the configuration control system
116 may include a configuration control module 167 suitable for
controlling the configuration circuitry 168 in response to a signal
transmitted from a fuel cell control module 109 or directly from the
monitoring system 102. The configuration control module 167 may include a
computer data processing system equipped with signal processing and
transmission hardware and software configured to receive a signal
transmitted by the fuel cell control module 109 or the monitoring system
102.

[0087] By way of an additional example, the microprocessor controlled
relay system, may include, but is not limited to a microprocessor
controlled relay system programmed to respond to one or more conditions
174 (e.g., a signal transmitted from fuel cell control module 109 or a
signal transmitted directly from the monitoring system 102). For
instance, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or more characteristics
of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may
transmit a signal indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics
of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102,
the configuration control system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108
may establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110 by adjusting
the electrical coupling configuration of two or more of the fuel cells of
the fuel cell system 110 using a microprocessor controlled relay system
programmed to respond to a signal transmitted from the configuration
control module 167, fuel cell control module 109, or the monitoring
system 102.

[0088] By way of another example, the switching circuitry 170 may adjust
the electrical coupling configuration of two or more of the fuel cells of
the fuel cell system 110 by switching a parallel configuration of two or
more fuel cells (or fuel cell stacks or fuel cell modules) to a series
configuration. Conversely, the switching circuitry 170 may adjust the
electrical coupling configuration of two or more of the fuel cells of the
fuel cell system 110 by switching a series configuration of two or more
fuel cells (or fuel cell stacks or fuel cell modules) to a parallel
configuration. It should be appreciated that the switching circuitry 170
may include a number of switching circuitry components which can be
controlled independently such that a portion of the switching circuitry
components can used to adjust the overall fuel cell system 110 electrical
coupling configuration by adjusting the electrical configuration of fuel
cells (or fuel cell stacks or fuel cell modules) on an individual basis.
In addition, the configuration control circuitry 168 may adjust the
electrical configuration of the fuel cell system 110 by adjusting the
quantity of fuel cells operating within the fuel cell system 110. For
example, the configuration circuitry may be used to couple additional
fuel cells (or fuel cell stacks or fuel cell modules) to the fuel cell
system 110. Conversely, the configuration circuitry 168 may be used to
disconnect fuel cells (or fuel cell stacks or fuel cell modules) from the
fuel cell system 110.

[0089] Referring now to FIG. 1K, the one or characteristics of the nuclear
reactor system 104 monitored by the monitoring system may include, but
are not limited to, operational characteristics, design characteristics,
or nuclear reactor operation system characteristics. For example, the
monitoring system 102 may include a monitoring system 178 configured to
monitor an operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104.
For instance, a monitoring system 178 configured to monitor an
operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system may monitor one
or more operational characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104.
Then, the monitoring system 178 configured to monitor an operational
characteristic may transmit a signal indicative of the monitored
operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel
cell control system 108. In response to the signal 107 transmitted from
the monitoring system 178 configured to monitor an operational
characteristic, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
readiness state in the fuel cell system 110, where the readiness state is
within a set of readiness parameters defined by the operational
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0090] In a further embodiment, the monitoring system 178 configured to
monitor an operation characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 may
monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor core. For
example, an operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor core may
include, but is not limited to, thermal characteristics, such as core
temperature or the rate of change of the core temperature (e.g., local or
average). In another example, the operational characteristic of the
nuclear reactor core may include, but is not limited to, the power level
of the nuclear reactor core or the reactivity of the nuclear reactor
core. Additionally, the operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor
core may include, but is not limited to, the pressure in the nuclear
reactor core or the rate of change of the pressure in the nuclear reactor
core. In a further example, the operational characteristic of the nuclear
reactor core may include, but is not limited to, the void fraction in the
nuclear reactor. For instance, the monitoring system 178 configured to
monitor an operation characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 may
monitor the void fraction of the nuclear reactor by measuring the coolant
flow through the nuclear reactor core. In another instance, the
monitoring system 178 configured to monitor an operation characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system 104 may monitor the void fraction of the
nuclear reactor by measuring a pressure drop in the nuclear reactor core.
In an additional instance, the monitoring system 178 configured to
monitor an operation characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 may
monitor the void fraction of the nuclear reactor by measuring the heat
output of the nuclear reactor core. In another instance, the monitoring
system 178 configured to monitor an operation characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system 104 may monitor the void fraction of the nuclear
reactor by measuring a pressure drop in the nuclear reactor core. In
another instance, the monitoring system 178 configured to monitor an
operation characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 may monitor
the projected afterheat in the nuclear reactor core.

[0091] In another embodiment, the monitoring system 102 may include a
monitoring system 179 configured to monitor a design characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, a monitoring system 179
configured to monitor a design characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system may monitor one or more design characteristics of the nuclear
reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 179 configured to monitor
a design characteristic may transmit a signal indicative of the monitored
design characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell
control system 108. In response to the signal 107 transmitted from the
monitoring system 179 configured to monitor a design characteristic, the
fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state in the fuel
cell system 110, where the readiness state is within a set of readiness
parameters defined by the design characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system 104.

[0092] In a further embodiment, the monitoring system 179 configured to
monitor a design characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 may
monitor one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor core. For
example, a design characteristic of the nuclear reactor core may include,
but is not limited to, the responsiveness of a safety system of the
nuclear reactor system to a design basis accident. A design basis
accident may include, but is not limited to, loss of off-site power,
reactivity initiated events (e.g., rod withdrawal), loss of flow
transients (e.g., pump malfunction), or loss of coolant (e.g., guillotine
break or blowdown malfunction). Further, the monitoring system 179
configured to monitor a design characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system 104 may monitor the safety system's ability to reestablish coolant
flow in the event of a coolant flow loss or the time necessary for the
safety system to shut down the nuclear reactor core.

[0093] By way of another example, a design characteristic of the nuclear
reactor core may include, but is not limited to, the time required for a
fuel element of the nuclear reactor system to reach a specified
temperature upon loss of coolant flow. For instance, the monitoring
system 179 configured to monitor a design characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system 104 may monitor the time necessary for a portion of a fuel
pin assembly to heat to a specified temperature in the event of fuel pump
malfunction. Further, the monitoring system 179 configured to monitor a
design characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104 may monitor the
time necessary for a a collection of fuel pin assemblies to heat to a
specified temperature in the event of fuel pump malfunction.

[0094] In another embodiment, the monitoring system 102 may include a
monitoring system 180 configured to monitor a characteristic of an
operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, a
monitoring system 180 configured to monitor a characteristic of an
operation system of the nuclear reactor system may monitor one or more
characteristics of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104.
Then, the monitoring system 180 configured to monitor a a characteristic
of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104 may transmit a
signal indicative of the monitored characteristic of an operation system
of the nuclear reactor system 104 to the fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 180
configured to monitor a characteristic of an operation system of the
nuclear reactor system 104, the fuel cell control system 108 may
establish a readiness state in the fuel cell system 110, where the
readiness state is within a set of readiness parameters defined by the
characteristic of the operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0095] In a further embodiment, the monitoring system 180 configured to
monitor a characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear reactor
system 104 may monitor one or more characteristics of a control system of
the nuclear reactor system, a coolant system of the nuclear reactor
system, a shutdown system of the nuclear reactor system, a monitoring
system of the nuclear reactor system, or a safety system of the nuclear
reactor. Further, the monitoring system 180 configured to monitor a
characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104
may be responsive to a signal transmitted by an operation system of the
nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the monitoring system 180
configured to monitor a characteristic of an operation system of the
nuclear reactor system 104 may receive a signal transmitted from the
safety system of the nuclear reactor system 104. Then, in response to the
signal transmitted from the safety system of the nuclear reactor system
104 the monitoring system 102 may in turn transmit an instruction signal
107 to the fuel cell control system 108.

[0096] Referring now to FIG. 1L, one or more of the fuel cells 134 of the
fuel cell system 110, may include, but are not limited to, a polymer
electrolyte fuel cell 182, a solid oxide fuel cell 183, an alkaline fuel
cell 184, or a molten carbonate fuel cell 185. For example, one or more
monitoring systems 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system may transmit a
signal indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control system 108. In response
to the transmitted signal from the monitoring system, a fuel cell control
system 108 may establish a readiness state in a fuel cell system 110
having one or more polymer electrolyte fuel cells 182. By way of another
example, one or more monitoring systems 102 may monitor one or more
characteristics of a nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring
system may transmit a signal indicative of the one or more monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control
system 108. In response to the transmitted signal from the monitoring
system, a fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state in
a fuel cell system 110 having one or more solid oxide fuel cells 183.

[0097] Referring now to FIG. 1M, the nuclear reactor of the nuclear
reactor system 104, may include, but is not limited to, a thermal
spectrum nuclear reactor 186, a fast spectrum nuclear reactor 187, a
multi-spectrum nuclear reactor 188, a breeder nuclear reactor 189, or a
traveling wave reactor 190. For example, one or more monitoring systems
102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a thermal spectrum nuclear
reactor system 186. Then, the monitoring system may transmit a signal
indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the thermal
spectrum nuclear reactor system 186 to a fuel cell control system 108. In
response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, a
fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state in the fuel
cell system 110. By way of another example, one or more monitoring
systems 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a traveling wave
nuclear reactor system 190. Then, the monitoring system may transmit a
signal indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the
traveling wave nuclear reactor system 190 to a fuel cell control system
108. In response to the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system
102, a fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state in
the fuel cell system 110.

[0098] Referring now to FIG. 1N, an energy supply system 191 may transfer
electrical energy from the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110
to one or more operation systems of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
example, the energy supply system 191 may transfer electrical energy from
the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 to a portion of a
coolant system (e.g., coolant pump) of the nuclear reactor system. By way
of another example, the energy supply system 191 may transfer electrical
energy from the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 to a
portion of a shutdown system of the nuclear reactor system 104. It will
be recognized by those skilled in the art that the electrical output of
the fuel cell system 110 may be used to supplement or augment one or more
operation systems of the nuclear reactor system 104 in the event of total
or partial malfunction of the nuclear reactor system 104. The operation
systems 193 driven or partially driven by the electrical energy
transferred from the output of the fuel cell system 110 may include, but
are not limited to, a control system, a monitoring system, a warning
system, a shutdown system, or a coolant system (e.g., primary coolant
system or secondary coolant system).

[0099] In a further embodiment, the energy supply system 191 may include
an energy supply system 192 configured to supply electrical energy to an
operation system 193 of the nuclear reactor system 104 in response to a
condition. For example, the condition may include, but is not limited to,
a signal transmitted by the fuel cell control system 108, a signal from
an operation system 193 of the nuclear reactor system 104, a signal from
an operator of the nuclear reactor system 104, or a shutdown event of the
nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, in response to a signal
transmitted from the fuel cell control system 108, the energy supply
system 191 may initiate transfer of electrical energy from the output of
the fuel cell system 110 to an operation system of the nuclear reactor
system. In another instance, in response to a signal transmitted from a
safety system of the nuclear reactor system 104, the energy supply system
191 may initiate transfer of electrical energy from the output of the
fuel cell system 110 to an operation system of the nuclear reactor
system. I should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
energy supply system 192 may include condition response circuitry
configured to initiate transfer of electrical energy from the fuel cell
system 110 to an operation system of the nuclear reactor system in
response to a condition. For example, the condition response circuitry
may include, but is not limited to, one or more transistors (e.g., NPN
transistor or PNP transistor) or one or more relay systems. Further, the
relay system may include, but is not limited to, an electromagnetic relay
system (e.g., a solenoid based relay system), a solid state relay system,
a transistor switched electromagnetic relay system, or a microprocessor
controlled relay system.

[0100] Referring now to FIG. 1O, an electrical output of the fuel cell
system 110 may be modified using an output modification system 194. For
example, the output modification system 194 may include, but is not
limited to, power management circuitry 195. For instance, the power
management circuitry 195 used to modify the electrical output of the fuel
cell system 110 may include, but is not limited to, a power converter,
voltage converter (e.g., a DC-DC converter or a DC-AC inverter), or
voltage regulation circuitry. Further, the voltage regulation circuitry
used to modify the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 may
include, but is not limited to, a Zener diode, a series voltage
regulator, a shunt regulator, a fixed voltage regulator or an adjustable
voltage regulator.

[0101] In a further embodiment, the output modification system 194 may
include, but is not limited to, control circuitry 196. For instance, the
control circuitry 194 may include control circuitry configured to modify
the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 by adjusting the
electrical output of the fuel cell system. For example, the control
circuitry may be configured to simulate an A.C. electrical output of the
fuel cell system 110 by sequentially staging the D.C. outputs of at least
two fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110. For instance, the control
circuitry may include a plurality of solid state switching devices
suitable for sequentially staging the D.C. outputs of two or more fuel
cells of the fuel cell system in order to simulate an A.C. signal from
the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110.

[0102] Referring generally to FIG. 2, a system 200 for maintaining a
readiness state in a fuel cell backup system of a nuclear reactor system
is described in accordance with the present disclosure. One or more
monitoring systems 102 may monitor one or more characteristics of a
nuclear reactor system 104. Then, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal indicative of the one or more monitored characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104 to a fuel cell control system 108 configured
to maintain a readiness state in a fuel cell system 110. In response to
the transmitted signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, the fuel cell
control system 108 (e.g., a fuel cell control module 109, energy transfer
system 112, reactant control system 114, or configuration control system
116) may maintain a readiness state (e.g., electrical output state,
temperature state, humidity state, or pressure state) in the fuel cell
system 110. For instance, the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer
energy from an energy source 103 (e.g., portion of the nuclear reactor
system 104 or an additional energy source 112) to a portion of the fuel
cell system 110 in order to maintain a readiness state of the fuel cell
system 110. An acceptable readiness state is defined by a set of
readiness parameters which are a function of one or more of the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104 measured by the
monitoring system 102.

[0103] Following are a series of flowcharts depicting implementations. For
ease of understanding, the flowcharts are organized such that the initial
flowcharts present implementations via an example implementation and
thereafter the following flowcharts present alternate implementations
and/or expansions of the initial flowchart(s) as either sub-component
operations or additional component operations building on one or more
earlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skill in the art will
appreciate that the style of presentation utilized herein (e.g.,
beginning with a presentation of a flowchart(s) presenting an example
implementation and thereafter providing additions to and/or further
details in subsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a rapid and easy
understanding of the various process implementations. In addition, those
skilled in the art will further appreciate that the style of presentation
used herein also lends itself well to modular and/or object-oriented
program design paradigms.

[0104]FIG. 3 illustrates an operational flow 300 representing example
operations related to maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell backup
system of a nuclear reactor system. In FIG. 3 and in following figures
that include various examples of operational flows, discussion and
explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described examples
of FIGS. 1A through 2, and/or with respect to other examples and
contexts. However, it should be understood that the operational flows may
be executed in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or in
modified versions of FIGS. 1A through 2. Also, although the various
operational flows are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should
be understood that the various operations may be performed in other
orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed
concurrently.

[0105] After a start operation, the operational flow 300 moves to a
maintaining operation 310. The maintaining operation 310 depicts
maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with a
nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a fuel cell
control system 108 (e.g., energy transfer system 112, reactant control
system 114, or configuration control system 116) may maintain a readiness
state of a fuel cell system 110 within a set of readiness parameters,
wherein the readiness parameters are a function of one or more
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104. By way of another
example, a fuel cell module 109 of a fuel cell control system 108 may
transmit an instruction signal 113 to an energy transfer system 112 of
the fuel cell control system 108 in order to maintain a readiness state
of a fuel cell system 110 within a set of readiness parameters.

[0106]FIG. 4A illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4A illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 401.

[0107] The operation 401 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a variable function of the
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, a fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a
readiness state within a set of readiness parameters which are a variable
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0108]FIG. 4B illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4B illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 402, and/or an
operation 404.

[0109] The operation 402 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of
the characteristic of a nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, an energy transfer system 112 of a fuel cell control
system 108 may maintain a readiness state within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an
energy source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110.

[0110] Further, the operation 404 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring energy from the
nuclear reactor system to a portion of the fuel cell system, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, an energy
transfer system 112 of a fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a
readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by transferring
energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from a portion of the nuclear
reactor system 104 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110.

[0111]FIG. 5 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 502, an
operation 504, and/or an operation 506.

[0112] Further, the operation 502 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from
an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness
parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a energy transfer system 112
of a fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a readiness state within a
set of readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy
source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 (e.g., bipolar plates
of one or more fuel cells).

[0113] Further, the operation 504 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from
an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system using a heat
transfer system, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through
2, a heat transfer system 146 of a fuel cell control system 108 may
maintain a readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring thermal energy from an energy source 103 to a portion of the
fuel cell system 110 (e.g., condition system).

[0114] Further, the operation 506 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from
an energy source to a conditioning system of the fuel cell system using a
heat transfer system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, a heat transfer system 146 of a fuel cell control
system 108 may maintain a readiness state within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source 103 to a
humidity control system 142 of the fuel cell system 110.

[0115]FIG. 6 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 602, an
operation 604, and/or an operation 606.

[0116] Further, the operation 602 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring electrical energy
from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness
parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, an energy transfer system
112 of a fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a readiness state
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring electrical energy
from an energy source 103 to a temperature control system 144 of the fuel
cell system 110.

[0117] Further, the operation 604 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring electrical energy
from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system using an
electrical energy transfer system, the readiness parameters a function of
a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, an electrical energy transfer system 148 of a fuel
cell control system 108 may maintain a readiness state within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring electrical energy from an energy
source 103 to a temperature control system 144 of the fuel cell system
110.

[0118] Further, the operation 606 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by transferring electrical energy
from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell system using an
electrical-to-thermal energy conversion system, the readiness parameters
a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, an electrical-to-thermal
conversion system 150 of a fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a
readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by transferring
electrical energy from an energy source 103 to a portion (e.g., one or
more fuel cells) of the fuel cell system 110.

[0119]FIG. 7 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 702, an
operation 704, an operation 706, and/or an operation 708.

[0120] The operation 702 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by adjusting a condition of at least one reactant of
the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, the reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system
associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of readiness
parameters by adjusting a condition (e.g., pressure of reactant gas or
flow rate of reactant gas) of at least one reactant of the fuel cell
system. Further, the reactant pump control system 156 of the reactant
control system 114 of the fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a
readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear
reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters by adjusting a
condition of at least one reactant of the fuel cell system.

[0121] The operation 704 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters by reconfiguring a portion of an electrical
configuration of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the configuration control system 116
(e.g., switching circuitry) of the fuel cell control system 108 may
maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a
nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters by
reconfiguring an electrical configuration (e.g., circuit arrangement) of
the fuel cell system 110.

[0122] The operation 706 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of an
operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell control system 108 may
maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a
nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of an operational characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system (e.g., thermal characteristics).

[0123] Further, the operation 708 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of an operational characteristic of a nuclear reactor core of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel
cell control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell
system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of an
operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor core (e.g.,
temperature, power level, pressure, or void fraction).

[0124] FIG. 8 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 802, an
operation 804, and/or an operation 806.

[0125] The operation 802 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a design
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a
readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear
reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness
parameters a function of a design characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system.

[0126] Further, the operation 804 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the responsiveness of a safety system of the nuclear reactor system to
a design basis accident. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the
fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a fuel
cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set
of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of the
responsiveness of a safety system of the nuclear reactor system to a
design basis accident (e.g., guillotine break).

[0127] Further, the operation 806 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of the time required for a fuel element of the nuclear reactor system to
reach a specified temperature upon loss of coolant flow. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell control system 108 may
maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a
nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of the time required for a fuel element,
such as a fuel pin assembly or a collection of fuel pin assemblies, of
the nuclear reactor system to reach a specified temperature upon loss of
coolant flow.

[0128]FIG. 9 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 902, and/or an
operation 904.

[0129] The operation 902 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell control system 108
may maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated with
a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of an operation
system (e.g., safety system, coolant system, monitoring system or
shutdown system) of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0130] Further, the operation 904 illustrates maintaining a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function
of a signal transmitted from an operation system of the nuclear reactor
system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system
110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a signal
(e.g., digital or analog signal) transmitted from an operation system
(e.g., safety system, coolant system, monitoring system or shutdown
system) of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0131]FIG. 10 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 10 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1002, an
operation 1004, and/or an operation 1006.

[0132] The operation 1002 illustrates maintaining an electrical output
level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical output range,
the acceptable electrical output range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
the fuel cell control system 108 may maintain an electrical output level
of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104
within acceptable electrical output range, the acceptable electrical
output range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system. For instance, the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer
thermal energy (via the heat transfer system) to the fuel cell system 110
in order to heat one or more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system
110 so as to maintain the electrical output level of the fuel cell system
within in an acceptable output range.

[0133] Further, the operation 1004 illustrates maintaining an electrical
current output level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
electrical current output range, the acceptable electrical current output
range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell control system 108
may maintain an electrical current output level of a fuel cell system 110
associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within acceptable electrical
current output range, the acceptable electrical current output range a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
instance, the configuration control system 116 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may reconfigure (e.g., decouple parallel coupled fuel cells
and recouple them in a serial configuration or vice-versa) the electrical
coupling configuration of two or more fuel cells of the fuel cell system
110 in order to maintain the electrical current output level of the fuel
cell system within in an acceptable output range.

[0134] Further, the operation 1006 illustrates maintaining a voltage level
of a fuel cell system within an acceptable voltage range, the acceptable
voltage range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain an electrical voltage output level of a
fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within
acceptable electrical voltage output range, the acceptable electrical
voltage output range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system 104. For instance, the configuration control system 116 of
the fuel cell control system 108 may reconfigure (e.g., decouple parallel
coupled fuel cells and recouple them in a serial configuration or
vice-versa) the electrical coupling configuration of two or more fuel
cells of the fuel cell system 110 in order to maintain the electrical
voltage output level of the fuel cell system within in an acceptable
output range.

[0135] FIG. 11 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 11 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1102, an
operation 1104, an operation 1106, an operation 1108 and/or an operation
1110.

[0136] The operation 1102 illustrates maintaining temperature of a portion
of a fuel cell system within an acceptable temperature range, the
acceptable temperature range a function of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the
fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a temperature of a portion of a
fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within
acceptable temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a function
of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103
to the fuel cell system 110 in order to heat or cool one or more of the
fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110 so as to maintain the temperature
of the fuel cell system 110 within in an acceptable temperature range.

[0137] The operation 1104 illustrates maintaining pressure in a portion of
a fuel cell system within an acceptable pressure range, the acceptable
pressure range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor
system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain a pressure in a portion of a fuel cell
system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within acceptable
pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103
to the fuel cell system 110 in order to maintain the pressure of the fuel
cell system 110 within in an acceptable pressure range.

[0138] The operation 1106 illustrates maintaining a humidity level in a
portion of a fuel cell system within an acceptable humidity range, the
acceptable humidity range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel
cell control system 108 may maintain a humidity level in a portion of a
fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within
acceptable humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103
to the humidity control system of the fuel cell system 110 in order to
maintain the humidity level of the fuel cell system 110 within in an
acceptable humidity range.

[0139] The operation 1108 illustrates maintaining temperature of a
reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable temperature
range, the acceptable temperature range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
the fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a temperature of a reactant
stream (e.g., fuel stream or oxidant stream) of a fuel cell system 110
associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within acceptable
temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103
to the reactant conditioning system of the fuel cell system 110 in order
to heat or cool one or more of the reactants of the fuel cell system 110
so as to maintain the temperature of one or both of the reactant streams
of the fuel cell system 110 within in an acceptable temperature range.

[0140] The operation 1110 illustrates maintaining pressure in a reactant
stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable pressure range, the
acceptable pressure range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel
cell control system 108 may maintain pressure of a reactant stream (e.g.,
fuel stream or oxidant stream) of a fuel cell system 110 associated with
a nuclear reactor system 104 within an acceptable pressure range, the
acceptable pressure range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system 104. For instance, the reactant control system 114 of the
fuel cell control system 108 may control reactant valves and/or pumps of
the fuel cell system 110 in order to increase or decrease the flow of one
or more of the reactant streams of the fuel cell system 110 so as to
maintain the pressure of one or both of the reactant streams of the fuel
cell system 110 within in an acceptable pressure range.

[0141] FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 12 illustrates example embodiments
where the maintaining operation 310 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1202, an
operation 1204, an operation 1206, an operation 1208, and/or an operation
1210.

[0142] The operation 1202 illustrates maintaining humidity of a reactant
stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable humidity range, the
acceptable humidity range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the fuel
cell control system 108 may maintain a humidity level of a reactant
stream (e.g., fuel stream or oxidant stream) of a fuel cell system 110
associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within acceptable humidity
range, the acceptable humidity range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the energy transfer system
112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may transfer energy (e.g.,
thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103 to the reactant
conditioning system, such as a humidifier, of the fuel cell system 110 in
order to maintain the humidity level of one or both of the reactant
streams of the fuel cell system 110 within in an acceptable humidity
range.

[0143] The operation 1204 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
a fuel cell control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a
polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system 182 within a set of
readiness parameters, wherein the readiness parameters are a function of
one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0144] The operation 1206 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
solid oxide fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a solid oxide fuel
cell system 183 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0145] The operation 1208 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of an
alkaline fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of an alkaline fuel
cell system 184 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0146] The operation 1210 illustrates maintaining a readiness state of a
molten carbonate fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters,
the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a fuel cell
control system 108 may maintain a readiness state of a molten carbonate
fuel cell system 185 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0147]FIG. 13 illustrates an operational flow 1300 representing example
operations related to maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell backup
system of a nuclear reactor system. FIG. 13 illustrates an example
embodiment where the example operational flow 300 of FIG. 3 may include
at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an
operation 1310, and/or an operation 1312.

[0148] After a start operation and a maintaining operation 310, the
operational flow 1300 moves to a transferring operation 1310. Operation
1310 illustrates transferring electrical energy from a fuel cell system
to an operation system of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, an energy supply system 191 may transfer
electrical energy from the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110
to an operation system (e.g., coolant system or shutdown system) of the
nuclear reactor system.

[0149] The operation 1312 illustrates, responsive to at least one
condition, transferring electrical energy from a fuel cell system to an
operation system of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, an energy supply system 191 may transfer electrical
energy from the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 to an
operation system (e.g., coolant system or shutdown system) of the nuclear
reactor system in response to a condition, such as a signal from an
operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104, or a shutdown event
of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0150] FIG. 14 illustrates an operational flow 1400 representing example
operations related to maintaining a readiness state in a fuel cell backup
system of a nuclear reactor system. FIG. 25 illustrates an example
embodiment where the example operational flow 300 of FIG. 3 may include
at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an
operation 1410, an operation 1412, an operation 1414, and/or an operation
1416.

[0151] After a start operation and a maintaining operation 310, the
operational flow 1400 moves to a modifying operation 1410. Operation 1410
illustrates modifying an electrical output of the fuel cell system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the output modification system
194 may modify the characteristics of the electrical output of the fuel
cell system 110.

[0152] The operation 1412 illustrates modifying an electrical output of
the fuel cell system using power management circuitry. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, power management circuitry 195 (e.g.,
voltage regulation circuitry) may modify the characteristics of the
electrical output of the fuel cell system 110.

[0153] The operation 1414 illustrates modifying the electrical output of
the fuel cell system by adjusting the electrical output of at least one
fuel cell of the fuel cell system using control circuitry. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, control circuitry 196 may modify the
characteristics of the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 by
adjusting the electrical output of one or more fuel cells of the fuel
cell system.

[0154] Further, the operation 1416 illustrates simulating an A.C.
electrical output of the fuel cell system by sequentially staging a D.C.
output of at least two fuel cells of the fuel cell system. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, control circuitry 196 may include solid
state switches configured to simulate an A.C. electrical output of the
fuel cell system 110 by sequentially staging the D.C. electrical outputs
of two or more fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110.

[0155] FIG. 15 illustrates an operational flow 1500 representing example
operations related to establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell
backup system of a nuclear reactor system. In FIG. 15 and in following
figures that include various examples of operational flows, discussion
and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described
examples of FIGS. 1 through 2, and/or with respect to other examples and
contexts. However, it should be understood that the operational flows may
be executed in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or in
modified versions of FIGS. 1A through 2. Also, although the various
operational flows are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should
be understood that the various operations may be performed in other
orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed
concurrently.

[0156] After a start operation, the operational flow 1500 moves to a
monitoring operation 1510. The monitoring operation 1510 depicts
monitoring characteristics of a nuclear reactor system. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring system 102 may monitor one or
more characteristics (e.g., operation characteristics of the nuclear
reactor, design characteristics of the nuclear reactor, or operational
characteristics of an operation system of the nuclear reactor).

[0157] Then, the establishing operation 1520 depicts, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor
system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to a signal 107 (e.g.,
digital or analog signal transmitted wirelessly or by wireline)
transmitted by the monitoring system 102, a fuel cell control system 108
(e.g., energy transfer system 112, reactant control system 114, or
configuration control system 116) may establish a readiness state of a
fuel cell system 110 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more of the characteristics
of the nuclear reactor system 104. By way of another example, in response
to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, a fuel cell
module 109 of a fuel cell control system 108 may transmit an instruction
signal 113 to an energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control
system 108 in order to maintain a readiness state of a fuel cell system
110 within a set of readiness parameters.

[0158]FIG. 16A illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 16A illustrates example
embodiments where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least
one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation
1601.

[0159] The operation 1601 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a variable
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted
by the monitoring system 102, a fuel cell control system 108 may
establish a readiness state within a set of readiness parameters which
are a variable function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system
104.

[0160]FIG. 16B illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1602, and/or an
operation 1604.

[0161] The operation 1602 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring energy from an energy source to a portion of the fuel cell
system, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in
response to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, an
energy transfer system 112 of a fuel cell control system 108 may
establish a readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source
103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110.

[0162] Further, the operation 1604 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor
system to a portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted
by the monitoring system 102, an energy transfer system 112 of a fuel
cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring energy (e.g., thermal or electrical)
from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 104 (e.g., portion of the
coolant system of the nuclear reactor system 104) to a portion of the
fuel cell system 110.

[0163] FIG. 17 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1702, an
operation 1704, and/or an operation 1706.

[0164] Further, the operation 1702 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted from the
monitoring system 102, a energy transfer system 112 of a fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state within a set of
readiness parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source
103 to a portion of the fuel cell system 110 (e.g., bipolar plates of one
or more fuel cells).

[0165] Further, the operation 1704 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system using a heat transfer system, the
readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response
to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 107, a heat
transfer system 146 of a fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by transferring
thermal energy from an energy source 103 to a portion of the fuel cell
system 110 (e.g., condition system or a portion of one or more fuel
cells).

[0166] Further, the operation 1706 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring thermal energy from an energy source to a
conditioning system of the fuel cell system using a heat transfer system,
the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response
to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, a heat
transfer system 146 of a fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by transferring
thermal energy from an energy source 103 to a humidity control system 142
of the fuel cell system 110.

[0167] FIG. 18 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 18 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1802, an
operation 1804, and/or an operation 1806.

[0168] Further, the operation 1802 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring electrical energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 from the monitoring
system 102, an energy transfer system 112 of a fuel cell control system
108 may establish a readiness state within a set of readiness parameters
by transferring electrical energy from an energy source 103 to a
temperature control system 144 of the fuel cell system 110.

[0169] Further, the operation 1804 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring electrical energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system using an electrical energy transfer
system, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, an
electrical energy transfer system 148 of a fuel cell control system 108
may establish a readiness state within a set of readiness parameters by
transferring electrical energy from an energy source 103 to a temperature
control system 144 of the fuel cell system 110.

[0170] Further, the operation 1806 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters by transferring electrical energy from an energy source to a
portion of the fuel cell system using an electrical-to-thermal energy
conversion system, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, an electrical-to-thermal conversion system 150 of
a fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness state within a
set of readiness parameters by transferring electrical energy from an
energy source 103 to a portion (e.g., one or more fuel cells) of the fuel
cell system 110.

[0171]FIG. 19 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 19 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1902 and/or an
operation 1906.

[0172] The operation 1902 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by adjusting a condition of at least
one reactant of the fuel cell system, the readiness parameters a function
of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, the reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state of a fuel cell system
associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness
parameters by adjusting a condition (e.g., pressure of reactant gas or
flow rate of reactant gas) of at least one reactant (e.g., fuel or
oxidant) of the fuel cell system 110. Further, the reactant pump control
system 156 of the reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell control
system 108 may establish a readiness state of a fuel cell system 110
associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness
parameters by adjusting a condition of at least one reactant of the fuel
cell system 110.

[0173] The operation 1904 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a fuel cell system associated with the nuclear reactor system
within a set of readiness parameters by reconfiguring a portion of an
electrical configuration of the fuel cell system, the readiness
parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal
107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the configuration control
system 116 (e.g., switching circuitry) of the fuel cell control system
108 may establish a readiness state of a fuel cell system 110 associated
with a nuclear reactor system 104 within a set of readiness parameters by
reconfiguring an electrical configuration (e.g., circuit arrangement) of
the fuel cell system 110.

[0174]FIG. 20 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 20 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2002, an
operation 2004, and/or an operation 2006.

[0175] The operation 2002 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing an electrical
output level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable electrical output
range, the acceptable electrical output range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish an
electrical output level of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a
nuclear reactor system 104 within acceptable electrical output range, the
acceptable electrical output range a function of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the fuel cell control system
108 may transfer thermal energy (via the heat transfer system) to the
fuel cell system 110 in order to heat one or more of the fuel cells of
the fuel cell system 110 so as to establish an electrical output level of
the fuel cell system 110 within in an acceptable output range.

[0176] Further, the operation 2004 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing an
electrical current output level of a fuel cell system within an
acceptable electrical current output range, the acceptable electrical
current output range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response
to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the fuel cell
control system 108 may establish an electrical current output level of a
fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within
an acceptable electrical current output range, the acceptable electrical
current output range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system 104. For instance, the configuration control system 116 of
the fuel cell control system 108 may reconfigure (e.g., decouple parallel
coupled fuel cells and recouple them in a serial configuration or
vice-versa) the electrical coupling configuration of two or more fuel
cells of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish an electrical
current output level of the fuel cell system within in an acceptable
output range.

[0177] Further, the operation 2006 illustrates, responsive to the
monitored characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a
voltage level of a fuel cell system within an acceptable voltage range,
the acceptable voltage range a function of a characteristic of the
nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in
response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102,
the fuel cell control system 108 may establish an electrical voltage
output level of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor
system 104 within acceptable electrical voltage output range, the
acceptable electrical voltage output range a function of a characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the configuration
control system 116 of the fuel cell control system 108 may reconfigure
(e.g., decouple parallel coupled fuel cells and recouple them in a serial
configuration or vice-versa) the electrical coupling configuration of two
or more fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish an
electrical voltage output level of the fuel cell system 110 within in an
acceptable output range.

[0178]FIG. 21 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 21 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2102, an
operation 2104, and/or an operation 2106.

[0179] The operation 2102 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a temperature
of a portion of a fuel cell system within an acceptable temperature
range, the acceptable temperature range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
in response to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102,
the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a temperature in a portion
of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104
within acceptable temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
instance, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system
108 may transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy
source 103 to the fuel cell system 110 in order to heat or cool one or
more of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110 so as to establish a
temperature of the fuel cell system 110 within in an acceptable
temperature range.

[0180] The operation 2104 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a pressure in
a portion of a fuel cell system within an acceptable pressure range, the
acceptable pressure range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response
to the signal 107 transmitted from the monitoring system 102, the fuel
cell control system 108 may establish a pressure in a portion of a fuel
cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within
acceptable pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103
to the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a pressure in the fuel
cell system 110 within in an acceptable pressure range.

[0181] The operation 2106 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a humidity
level in a fuel cell system within an acceptable humidity range, the
acceptable humidity range a function of a characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, in response
to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102, the fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a humidity level in a portion of a fuel
cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within
acceptable humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy source 103
to the humidity control system of the fuel cell system 110 in order to
establish a humidity level in the fuel cell system 110 within in an
acceptable humidity range.

[0182]FIG. 22 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 21 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2202, an
operation 2204, and/or an operation 2206.

[0183] The operation 2202 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a temperature
of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
temperature of a reactant stream (e.g., fuel stream or oxidant stream) of
a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104
within acceptable temperature range, the acceptable temperature range a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
instance, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system
108 may transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy
source 103 to the reactant conditioning system of the fuel cell system
110 in order to heat or cool one or more of the reactants of the fuel
cell system 110 so as to establish a temperature of one or both of the
reactant streams of the fuel cell system 110 within in an acceptable
temperature range.

[0184] The operation 2204 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a pressure in
a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable pressure
range, the acceptable pressure range a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
in response to the signal 107 transmitted by the monitoring system 102,
the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a pressure in a reactant
stream (e.g., fuel stream or oxidant stream) of a fuel cell system 110
associated with a nuclear reactor system 104 within an acceptable
pressure range, the acceptable pressure range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For instance, the
reactant control system 114 of the fuel cell control system 108 may
control reactant valves and/or pumps of the fuel cell system 110 in order
to increase or decrease the flow of one or more of the reactant streams
of the fuel cell system 110 so as to establish a pressure of one or both
of the reactant streams of the fuel cell system 110 within in an
acceptable pressure range.

[0185] The operation 2206 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a humidity
level of a reactant stream of a fuel cell system within an acceptable
humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 transmitted by the
monitoring system 102, the fuel cell control system 108 may establish a
humidity level of a reactant stream (e.g., fuel stream or oxidant stream)
of a fuel cell system 110 associated with a nuclear reactor system 104
within acceptable humidity range, the acceptable humidity range a
function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
instance, the energy transfer system 112 of the fuel cell control system
108 may transfer energy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from an energy
source 103 to the reactant conditioning system, such as a humidifier, of
the fuel cell system 110 in order to establish a humidity level of one or
both of the reactant streams of the fuel cell system 110 within in an
acceptable humidity range.

[0186] FIG. 23 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 23 illustrates example embodiments
where the establishing operation 1520 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2302, an
operation 2304, an operation 2306, and/or an operation 2308.

[0187] The operation 2302 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system within a set of
readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, in response to the signal 107 from the monitoring
system 102, a fuel cell control system 108 may establish a readiness
state of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system 182 within a set
of readiness parameters, wherein the readiness parameters are a function
of one or more characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0188] The operation 2304 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a solid oxide fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
in response to the signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, a fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state of a solid oxide fuel
cell system 183 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0189] The operation 2306 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of an alkaline fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
in response to the signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, a fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state of an alkaline fuel
cell system 184 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0190] The operation 2308 illustrates, responsive to the monitored
characteristics of the nuclear reactor system, establishing a readiness
state of a molten carbonate fuel cell system within a set of readiness
parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
in response to the signal 107 from the monitoring system 102, a fuel cell
control system 108 may establish a readiness state of a molten carbonate
fuel cell system 185 within a set of readiness parameters, wherein the
readiness parameters are a function of one or more characteristics of the
nuclear reactor system 104.

[0191]FIG. 24 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 24 illustrates example embodiments
where the monitoring operation 1510 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2402, an
operation 2404, and/or an operation 2406.

[0192] The operation 2402 illustrates monitoring characteristics of a
nuclear reactor system using a nuclear reactor monitoring system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the monitoring system 102 may
monitor one or more characteristics, such as an operation characteristic
or a design characteristic, of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0193] Further, the operation 2404 illustrates transmitting a signal from
the nuclear reactor monitoring system to a computer data management
system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, upon monitoring a
characteristic of the nuclear reactor system 104, the monitoring system
102 may transmit a signal indicative of the monitored characteristic to a
computer data management system (e.g., a computer system configured to
archive and analyze monitored characteristic data).

[0194] Further, the operation 2406 illustrates transmitting a signal from
the nuclear reactor monitoring system to a fuel cell control system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, upon monitoring a characteristic
of the nuclear reactor system 104, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal indicative of the monitored characteristic to the fuel cell
control system 108. For instance, the monitoring system 102 may transmit
a signal indicative of the monitored characteristic to the fuel cell
control module 109 of the fuel cell control system 108.

[0195]FIG. 25 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15. FIG. 25 illustrates example embodiments
where the monitoring operation 1510 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2502, an
operation 2504, an operation 2506, an operation 2508, and operation 2510,
and operation 2512, and/or an operation 2514.

[0196] The operation 2502 illustrates monitoring an operational
characteristic of a nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring system 178 configured to monitor an
operational characteristic of the nuclear reactor system may monitor one
or more operational characteristics of the nuclear reactor system 104,
such as temperature or pressure of a portion (e.g., coolant fluid of a
coolant loop) of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0197] Further, the operation 2504 illustrates monitoring an operational
characteristic of the nuclear reactor core nuclear reactor system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring system 178
configured to monitor an operational characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system may monitor one or more operational characteristics of the
nuclear reactor core of the nuclear reactor system 104, such as
temperature, pressure, or void fraction of the nuclear reactor core.

[0198] The operation 2506 illustrates monitoring a design characteristic
of a nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2,
a monitoring system 179 configured to monitor a design characteristic of
the nuclear reactor system may monitor one or more design characteristics
of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0199] Further, the operation 2508 illustrates monitoring the
responsiveness of a safety system of a nuclear reactor system to a design
basis accident. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring
system 179 configured to monitor a design characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system may monitor the responsiveness of a safety system of a
nuclear reactor system to a design basis accident, such as guillotine
break.

[0200] Further, the operation 2510 illustrates monitoring the
responsiveness of a safety system of a nuclear reactor system to a design
basis accident. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring
system 179 configured to monitor a design characteristic of the nuclear
reactor system may monitor the time required for a fuel element, such as
a fuel pin assembly or a collection of fuel pin assemblies, of a nuclear
reactor system to reach a specified temperature upon loss of coolant
flow.

[0201] The operation 2512 illustrates monitoring a characteristic of an
operation system of a nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring system 180 configured to monitor a
characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system may
monitor one or more characteristics of an operation system (e.g., coolant
system, safety system, shutdown system, or warning system) of the nuclear
reactor system 104.

[0202] Further, the operation 2514 illustrates monitoring a signal
transmitted by an operation system of a nuclear reactor system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, a monitoring system 180
configured to monitor a characteristic of an operation system of the
nuclear reactor system may monitor one or more signals transmitted from
an operation system (e.g., coolant system, safety system, shutdown
system, or warning system) of the nuclear reactor system 104. For
instance, the monitoring system 180 configured to monitor a
characteristic of an operation system of the nuclear reactor system may
monitor a digital signal transmitted by a safety system of the nuclear
reactor system 104.

[0203] FIG. 26 illustrates an operational flow 2600 representing example
operations related to establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell
backup system of a nuclear reactor system. FIG. 26 illustrates an example
embodiment where the example operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15 may include
at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an
operation 2610, and/or an operation 2612.

[0204] After a start operation, a monitoring operation 1510, and an
establishing operation 1520, the operational flow 2600 moves to a
transferring operation 2610. The transferring operation 2610 illustrates
transferring electrical energy from a fuel cell system to an operation
system of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A
through 2, an energy supply system 191 may transfer electrical energy
from the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 to an operation
system (e.g., coolant system or shutdown system) of the nuclear reactor
system 104

[0205] The operation 2612 illustrates, responsive to at least one
condition, transferring electrical energy from the fuel cell system to an
operation system of the nuclear reactor system. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 1A through 2, an energy supply system 191 may transfer electrical
energy from the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 to an
operation system (e.g., coolant system or shutdown system) of the nuclear
reactor system in response to a condition, such as a signal from an
operation system of the nuclear reactor system 104, or a shutdown event
of the nuclear reactor system 104.

[0206] FIG. 27 illustrates an operational flow 2700 representing example
operations related to establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell
backup system of a nuclear reactor system. FIG. 27 illustrates an example
embodiment where the example operational flow 1500 of FIG. 15 may include
at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an
operation 2710 and/or operation 2712.

[0207] After a start operation, a monitoring operation 1510, and an
establishing operation 1520, the operational flow 2700 moves to a
modifying operation 2710. The modifying operation 2710 illustrates
modifying an electrical output of the fuel cell system. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, the output modification system 194 may
modify the characteristics of the electrical output of the fuel cell
system 110.

[0208] Further, the operation 2712 illustrates modifying an electrical
output of the fuel cell system using power management circuitry. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, power management circuitry 195
(e.g., voltage regulation circuitry) may modify the electrical
characteristics of the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110.

[0209] FIG. 28 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example
operational flow 2700 of FIG. 27. FIG. 28 illustrates example embodiments
where the modifying operation 2710 may include at least one additional
operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2810, and/or an
operation 2812.

[0210] The operation 2810 illustrates modifying an electrical output of
the fuel cell system by adjusting the electrical output of at least one
fuel cell of the fuel cell system using control circuitry. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, control circuitry 196 may modify the
characteristics of the electrical output of the fuel cell system 110 by
adjusting the electrical output of one or more fuel cells of the fuel
cell system.

[0211] Further, the operation 3012 illustrates simulating an A.C.
electrical output of the fuel cell system by sequentially staging the
D.C. output of at least two fuel cells of the fuel cell system. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2, control circuitry 196 may
include solid state switches configured to simulate an A.C. electrical
output of the fuel cell system 110 by sequentially staging the D.C.
electrical outputs of two or more fuel cells of the fuel cell system 110.

[0212] Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the
art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left
between hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspects of
systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally (but
not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and
software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs.
efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that
there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other
technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software,
and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the
context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies
are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and
accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware
and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the
implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again
alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,
software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by
which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described
herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other
in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context
in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g.,
speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which
may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of
implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware,
software, and or firmware.

[0213] In some implementations described herein, logic and similar
implementations may include software or other control structures.
Electronic circuitry, for example, may have one or more paths of
electrical current constructed and arranged to implement various
functions as described herein. In some implementations, one or more media
may be configured to bear a device-detectable implementation when such
media hold or transmit device-detectable instructions operable to perform
as described herein. In some variants, for example, implementations may
include an update or modification of existing software or firmware, or of
gate arrays or programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception
of or a transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or
more operations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in some
variants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,
software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose components
executing or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.
Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one or more
instances of tangible transmission media as described herein, optionally
by packet transmission or otherwise by passing through distributed media
at various times.

[0214] Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include
executing a special-purpose instruction sequence or invoking circuitry
for enabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing
one or more occurrences of virtually any functional operations described
herein. In some variants, operational or other logical descriptions
herein may be expressed as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked
as an executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example,
implementations may be provided, in whole or in part, by source code,
such as C++, or other code sequences. In other implementations, source or
other code implementation, using commercially available and/or techniques
in the art, may be compiled//implemented/translated/converted into a
high-level descriptor language (e.g., initially implementing described
technologies in C or C++ programming language and thereafter converting
the programming language implementation into a logic-synthesizable
language implementation, a hardware description language implementation,
a hardware design simulation implementation, and/or other such similar
mode(s) of expression). For example, some or all of a logical expression
(e.g., computer programming language implementation) may be manifested as
a Verilog-type hardware description (e.g., via Hardware Description
Language (HDL) and/or Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware
Descriptor Language (VHDL)) or other circuitry model which may then be
used to create a physical implementation having hardware (e.g., an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Those skilled in the art will
recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimize suitable transmission or
computational elements, material supplies, actuators, or other structures
in light of these teachings.

[0215] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block
diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,
flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or
operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each
function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or
examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide
range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination
thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter
described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated
Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal
processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in
the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed
herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in
integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or
more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more
computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more
processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more
microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,
and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software
and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art
in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are
capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,
and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described
herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium
used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing
medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type
medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a
Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a
transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication
medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications
link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver,
transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

[0216] In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the various embodiments described herein can be implemented, individually
and/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systems
having a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,
firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of
components that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigid
bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magnetically
actuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof. Consequently,
as used herein "electro-mechanical system" includes, but is not limited
to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (e.g., an
actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a Micro Electro Mechanical
System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete
electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated
circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific
integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose
computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general
purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least
partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a
microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially
carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical
circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory (e.g., random
access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitry forming a
communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,
optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analog
thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art will
also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include but
are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medical
devices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems,
factory automation systems, security systems, and/or
communication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a
system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as
context may dictate otherwise.

[0217] In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the various aspects described herein which can be implemented,
individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,
firmware, and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed
of various types of "electrical circuitry." Consequently, as used herein
"electrical circuitry" includes, but is not limited to, electrical
circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical
circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry
having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical
circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a
computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a
computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or
devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer
program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices
described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,
forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/or
electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,
communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those having
skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein
may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination
thereof.

[0218] Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of
the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a
data processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that
a data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit
housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile
memory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors,
computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user
interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices
(e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/or control
systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for
sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or
adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing system may be
implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components, such as
those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network
computing/communication systems.

[0219] One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described
components (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussion
accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity
and that various configuration modifications are contemplated.
Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the
accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more
general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to
be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific
components (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be taken
limiting.

[0220] Although a user is shown/described herein as a single illustrated
figure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the user may be
representative of a human user, a robotic user (e.g., computational
entity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., a user may
be assisted by one or more robotic agents) unless context dictates
otherwise. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in general, the
same may be said of "sender" and/or other entity-oriented terms as such
terms are used herein unless context dictates otherwise.

[0221] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular
terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural
to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate
to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural
permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0222] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different
components contained within, or connected with, different other
components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are
merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may be
implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,
any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is
effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved.
Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular
functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the
desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or
intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can
also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled," to
each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components
capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably
couplable," to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific
examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically
mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly
interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically
interacting, and/or logically interactable components.

[0224] While particular aspects of the present subject matter described
herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter
described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended
claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and
modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject
matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art
that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended
claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted
as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as
"includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by
those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim
recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the
claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present.
For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims
may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or
more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular
claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing
only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the
introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite
articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be
interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true
for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In
addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is
explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited
number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more
recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention
analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such
a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would
understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B,
and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention
analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such
a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would
understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B,
or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by
those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase
presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description,
claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the
possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both
terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B"
will be typically understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B"
or "A and B.

[0225] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in
any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a
sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be
performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be
performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include
overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,
preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant
orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like
"responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives are
generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates
otherwise.

Patent applications by Clarence T. Tegreene, Bellevue, WA US

Patent applications by Joshua C. Walter, Kirkland, WA US

Patent applications by Roderick A. Hyde, Redmond, WA US

Patent applications in class Process or means for control of operation

Patent applications in all subclasses Process or means for control of operation